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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-27 04-294 ORDERItem No. 04-394 Dace: September 27 2004 Item/gobject: ORDER, Authorizing the Establishment of a Task Force to Assist the City Council in Establishing Goals and Strategies for the Development and Protection of the Penjajawoc/Mall Area Responsible Department: City Council Over the past twenty-five years, Me Stillwater/Hogan Road area has grown rapidly with continued strong development interest today. More recently, there has been an increased awareness of Me environmental significance of the Penjajawoc Marsh and Stream. As a result, the overall interest in the future direction of this area has grown, and a number of groups have become actively involved. Over the paid several months, conversations have begun between Council, staff, and other interested parties regarding Me future of this area and how we might best proceed m establish goals and strategies for Me development a and protection of the Penjajawoc/Mall area. At its last meeting, the Transporlabon and Infrastructure Committee reviewed a proposal that sets out a process aimed at establishing pricies and strategies for the short and long term that allow for smart development of Me Penjajawoc Marsh areas and that will guide both development and natural enhancement in Me area for consideration in the Comprehensive Plan update and as a quids to near term development. At the meeting, support for such an approach was shown by a variety of the Interested antles. The attached ober will authorize Implementation of Me process oudlned In Me Committees proposal (a copy of which Is attached) and Me appointment of a task force as recommended by It. Department Head Manager's Comments: City Manager Associated Information: pm f~ I Approval: Finance Director Legal Approval: Ciry, Sold X passage _ First Reading page X of 2 Refsmal Assigned is comcilor Casaeell septet er 27, 2004 CITY OF BANGOR (fRLE.) Order, Supporting Establishment of a Task Force to Assist the City Council in Establishing Goals and Strategies for the Development and Protection of the Penjajawoc/Mall Area WHEREAS, Over the past twenty-five years the Stillwater Avenue/Hogan Road area has been the most rapidly growing sector of the City with continued strong development Interest; and WHEREAS, much of this am.'. is located within the Citys designated growth area identified in the Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Man also recognizes that some portions of this area should be maintained as open space; and WHEREAS, ongoing development interest and increased awareness of the environmental significance of the Penjajawoc Marsh and Stream have generated significant community interest in the last few years; and WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that continued development, expansion of our economic base, protection of environmentally sensitive areas, and preservation of open space are all important factors for future enhancement of the community; and WHEREAS, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the City Council has developed the attached proposal to develop a task force bringing interested parties together to assist the City Council in establishing goals and strategies for the development and protection of the Penjajawoc/Mall area; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED by the City Council of the City of Bangor that the process oubined in the attached proposal be undertaken as soon as possible; and BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Chair of the City Council appoint a task force as recommended in the proposal to participate in this effort. I IN CIR COUNCIL SePtenber 27. 2006 04-296 Notion Made and Seconded N for Passage P ted 0 R D E R f lPq ty lo[CkE��Slppot[Ivg Usublc at of a Task PP Ustabliuhlog Goalseard Strategies for the ac/ - Mall Area Asslgnedto CCouundl�oorr 'I�1�bnl�'lhAINg V ate" �Y 04-294 PROPOSAL Appointment of a Task Force to Assist the City of Bangor to establish Goals and Strategies for the Development and Protection of the Penjajawoc/Mall Area August 20, 2004 The City Council of Bangor wishes to establish an ad hoc citizens task force to assist the city in fostering a cooperative effort by the city and interested parties in the planning for, development and protection of the Penjajawcc/Mall (P/M) area. The Goal To establish policies and strategies for the shat and long teen that allow for smart development of the Penjajawoc Marsh area. These policies and strategies will be used to guide development and natural enhancement of the area for consideration of the Bangor Comprehensive Plan as well as guide near term discussion of development projects in the area. Issues, for example, that may be considered are; Integration of the marsh area into a greater system of City trails offering greater connectrvity; Protection and enhancement of the quality of the stream and marsh; Development of the areas adjacent to the stream and marsh; Design of access to the marsh for tourism and recreation and to the areas around the marsh for adequate traffic Flow for the commercial use; Timing issues for projects presently underway; Remuneration for landowners; Promotion of economic growth; Any other major issues mat may arise. The Task Force The task force will be appointed by the Chair of the Council and will be comprised of 3 representatives from each of the following sectors of interests: Environmental interests Landowner/abutters Local land trusts Commercial developers in the mall area City staff The task force will be supported by city staff. A volunteer disinterested facilitator will be sought by the city to manage the process and serve as chair. Facilitation is a way of helping groups work together in meetings. Facilitation is the use of an impartial third party to promote effective information exchange, negotiation, and group decision making. A facilitator is impartial on the issues being discussed; rarely contribute substantive Ideas; and has no decision- making authority. The focus is on process in a group setting. The task force will be provided all available Information to support short term development and protection Issues. Information needs for longer term policy development may be identified and sought within the constraints of time and resource availability. Process There are various approaches to Issue assessment and dialogue. The land use challenges In the Mall and PenJaJawoc Marsh area may or may not lend themselves to a facilitated dialogue. The first step in the process is to determine whether or not to proceed with a facilitation process. The following outline describes how to conduct an assessment to determine if a facilitated dialogue is possible: 1. Sponsor (City of Bangor) with assistance from the facilitator and/or TIC member/s will; Provide potential participants with a questionnaire to ascertain the issues that need to be resolved both short and long tens. Determine the willingness of the participant groups to participate with the knowledge that compromise and consensus is the goal for being at the table. Conduct a pre -meeting Interview with the various groups to address concerns and identify obstacles to success. Determine timeline needs for the short term and long term decision making process. 2. The task force upon being organized will hold a public hearing to gather information and understanding of the issues related to the P/M area. 3. The task force will proceed to distill the polities and strategies for going forward to include a timeline for the meetings required and an estimate for conclusion of the process understanding that short term recommendations Will be needed while long term Issues are deliberated. 4. The task force will submit recommendations to the council for consideration. The council will hold a public hearing on the report or reports and take appropriate action. The recommendations may be related to the short and long term needs. The scope of the issue(s), time Involvement and other expenses, facilitator process and city participation will determine the cost. Costs will be held to a minimum and absorbed where possible in the budget of the city. Conclusions For an effective land use facilitation to take place: ➢ People must believe that they will achieve more of their interests through consensus building than their next best alternative. ➢ Participants need to be assured that the results of their efforts will be taken seriously. n Political leadership is critical to the process. n local government officials must play a central role. ➢ Facilitators play an essential role and must remain neutral regarding the issues. A well-done consensus building process produces increased understanding and improved relationships. Consensus among stakeholders will go far in promoting a balance between economic development and conservation in the Mall and Penjajawoc Marsh area. This process is not meant to reduce or usurp the responsibility of the City Council, but rather to help the Council to make needed policy decisions that improve the outcomes and expectations related to the P/M and in tum Improve the future of the City for all its citizens.